It has been over a dozen years since Houston has advanced past the first round of the playoffs and it won’t get any easier tonight as they begin their Western Conference semifinal series in Los Angeles against the Lakers.
The Rockets defeated Portland at home on Thursday taking the series in six games to advance, whereas the Lakers beat Utah in five games clinching it last Monday. No game action for Los Angeles in a week may play to Houston’s favor who will take any advantage they can after being swept 4-0 in their season series against the Lakers.
To optimize their chances, Houston will have to turn up its formidable defense a notch. Fine perimeter defenders Ron Artest and Shane Battier will certainly pose some problems for Kobe Bryant. If so, it will be up to the other Lakers to pick up the scoring.
Yao Ming is a tough assignment for anyone and Andrew Bynum knows he can’t have a poor series like he did against the Jazz. The Lakers big man has to step it up on both ends of the court. Yao has to improve his offense, down four points from the regular season, and get help from their sharpshooters off the bench to keep Houston in the game.
Pau Gasol will get his points, but in the end the difference will be the depth of the Lakers bench. They have been terrific. Players like Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, Sasha Vujacic and Luke Walton coming off the bench could start on many teams.
Still, that nasty habit that has dogged them this year and was evident against Utah, the Lakers have to FINISH games and the thought here is that they will, heading to the Conference Finals in 6.
For a team named the Rockets, Houston lacks firepower.
Rockets will crash and burn in 5.
Lakers bench is not quite healthy as Walton and Farmar I dont think are 100%
Lakers lethargic after a week off. Bynum better wake up.
Where is Andrew Bynum?
Lakers dont even look like the best team in the west after today’s debacle. Down by 29 at one point and Houston without Yao…ow!
what’s wrong with Bynum? if Lakers get past Houston they BETTER get into another gear in mile high Denver.
Lakers better focus on the here and now or they wont even make the WEST finals
now that is more like it. Lakers by 40. they will close it out tomorrow in houston